Sunday, December 9, 2012

Philippine mass media just commemorated the third anniversary of the massacre on Nov. 23, 2009 of 32 media workers, along with 27 other civilians, in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

This fateful day has become the single worst attack on the Philippine press, prompting the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX) to designate Nov. 23 of every year as International Day to End Impunity, a reminder to everyone that it should never happen again.

These 32 media workers were all from Mindanao and only the most recent cases of killings of Filipino journalists. They are featured in a landmark book, Crimes and Unpunishment (2012), published by UNESCO and the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), and edited by Florangel R. Braid, Crispin C. Maslog and Ramon T. Tuazon.

The book documents the major crimes against Filipino journalists since 1986. Since then a total of 125 journalists have been killed in the line of duty, according to the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, giving the country the dubious distinction of becoming “the second most dangerous country in the world, next to Iraq.” The book also documents the “unpunish-ment” of the killers of these journalists.

The book will be launched on Dec. 7 at the Annunciation Hall, St. Mary’s College, Mother Ignacia Ave., Quezon City, at 11 a.m. It will be held in conjunction with the Annual Philippine Communication Society Conference. Dr. Maslog will give a talk on the highlights of the book for 15-20 minutes. The launch is the feature of a Philippine Press Institute-PCS seminar on Journalism Excellence and Ethics. The book can be ordered through AIJC, through tels. (02) 7244564 and (02) 7454227.

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The story on the late editor-publisher Jacobo Amatong is written by Dr. Cris Maslog, a former journalist with the Agence France-Presse and director, Silliman School of Journalism. A consultant of the AIJ, he is one of the editors of the book Crimes and Unpunishment. Below is an excerpt of his story on Amatong.

Jacobo Amatong: Slain journalist awaits justice By CRIS C. MASLOG

“Jacobo Amatong stood up to denounce military abuses in Zamboanga del Norte at a time when it was foolish to do so, because it was at the height of martial law. Because of his guts, his paper earned a reputation as a fearless, crusading community newspaper in that part of the country — and he paid the supreme price, his life.

“The paper was a crusader against government corruption and military abuses and a champion of human rights. On Sept. 23, 1984, after nine years of running the paper, Jacobo was murdered for his exposes of human rights violation by the military.

“Jacobo was with his comrade in arms in the human rights movement, Zorro C. Aguilar, that night of Sept. 23. They were ambushed as they neared the home of Jacobo. Zorro died on the spot. Kubo was taken to the hospital where he expired six hours later.

“A friend of the slain publisher-editor, who reportedly has connections in the Armed Forces intelligence, told the Mindanao Observer an undercover operative leaked him the information linking the military to the cold-blooded murder of Amatong and Aguilar.

“Amatong’s murder put the Observer in the limelight. But the response of readers was fear. The people were afraid to buy the paper because it carried stories on investigations, ambuscades and military atrocities.The military presence was strong in Dipolog City. Even the local advertisers got scared and shunned the paper. It was only in 1986, after the ouster of Marcos, that the Observer began to recover.

“Undaunted by the risks involved, the Observer ran a banner story on the Amatong-Aguilar case in its October 8, 1984 issue with the bold headline, Slay of editor, lawyer, an army plot? The story read: ‘Confidential police sources said there was a great possibility that the killing was deliberately carried out in order to prevent Amatong and Aguilar from embarking on a fact-finding mission on the salvage of Ramon Sagusay and Jorge Chica in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte.’

“As a constant reminder to the people concerned with the case and to the local public in general, the paper ran a count of the days during which the murder remained unsolved. The count appeared on the right ear of the paper’s front page.

“Through the crusade of the paper and with the active cooperation of the public, the principal suspect, Army Lt. Wilson Caledo, then assigned to the 44th Infantry Battalion stationed in Anastacio, Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte, was identified.

“Other suspects, however, were not yet known. As a response to public pressure, whipped up by the Observer, the Armed Forces of the Philippines created a military tribunal to try the murder case.

On formal appeals of the lawyers and prominent citizens in the province, President Corazon Aquino, as AFP commander-in-chief, agreed to transfer the case to the civilian court. The trial of the case was at first scheduled June 24, 1987, in Fort Bonifacio in Metro Manila, but was postponed indefinitely in view of the presidential waiver. The report said the trial of the case would be held in Dipolog City.

“The suspects, meanwhile, were detained in the stockade at Fort Bonifacio while awaiting trial by the civil court. The suspects were expected to be transferred to the Dipolog City Jail while the case was tried, since the charge of murder is a ca“As of October 6, 2012, as this is being written 25 years later, the military has not remanded the records of the case to the civil courts in Dipolog City as instructed by former President Corazon Aquino.

“The son of former President Corazon Aquino is now the new president. President Corazon Aquino and the lawyer of the Amatong family have died and nobody knows what happened to the suspects detained in Fort Bonifacio. Isagani, the brother of Jacobo, became governor of Zamboanga del Norte. The Amatong family, however, after repeated attempts to have the trial transferred to their province, finally gave up. This is how slow the wheels of justice grind in this country.”

* * *

Two Filipinos have been awarded among Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World. They are Benigno “Bam” Aquino, and Dr. Edsel Maurice Salvaña who were chosen from a field of 115 entries coming from 37 countries. The y join the illustrious list of TOYPs, which includes John F. Kennedy, Nelson Rockefeller, and Jesse Robredo.

An annual project of the Junior Chamber International (JCI), the TOYP program honors men and women who have made significant contributions to society by inspiring and empowering those who have less in life to have a more meaningful existence.

Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, TOYP, which was originally developed by Durwood Howes, president of the US Junior Chamber of Commerce (1930-31), was officially adopted by the JCI World Congress in Taipei in 1983. Over the past three decades, ceremonies have been held all over the globe.

In 2006, Bam and business partner Mark Ruiz founded Hapinoy, a micro-financing scheme to train impoverished women , give them capital, and help them look for markets. Aquino is committed to helping the youth become productive members of society, and addressing poverty by giving people access to small but sustainable businesses. Dr. Salvaña, gave up a lucrative medical practice in the United States and joined the government’s Balik Scientist program. He teaches medicine at the Philippine General Hospital under the University of the Philippines. He is a staunch advocate of combating the HIV disease. (To read the original entry, please click here.)

Friday, October 5, 2012

In line with the big protests against the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication is reposting Dr. Florangel Rosario Braid's column, first published by the Manila Bulletin. To read the original entry, click here.

At first glance, the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 or RA No.10175 seems innocuous. Who would not support a law that would regulate cyberspace for the purpose of eliminating hacking, child pornography, and scams? Several friends including myself who had been victimized by hackers engaged in identity theft would welcome a law that would clean up the Internet. But what we had not foreseen was the stealth, the sneakiness in the process – that it was passed without due consultation and that it allowed at least a certain legislator to insert sinister provisions which would undermine the Constitution. Criminalizing online libel certainly negates the provisions on freedom of expression and of the press.

Section 4 of Article 4 of the bill which was reportedly inserted by Senator Sotto is considered a threat to all civil rights advocates as it includes “the unlawful or prohibited acts of libel as defined in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future”. As lawyer Mel Sta. Maria of News 5 explains, libel is a content-related offense which can be committed by anybody using the computer. A blogger or commentator in Facebook or Twitter who now enjoys considerable freedom may now be constrained from expressing his or her thoughts in the social media.Article 355 of the current Revised Penal Code prohibits libel in various channels of communication – writing, lithography, engraving, radio, phonograph, painting, theatrical and cinematographic exhibitions. It is based on the libel law which is now 80 years old, one described by the UN Human Rights Council as “excessive.” In fact, sometime last year, right after the UNHRC decriminalized libel, ordered a local journalist immediately released, and sent a delegation to the country to meet with the President and other officials, we thought that our government had agreed to move towards the direction taken by the UN agency. But, we were mistaken. A perusal of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights would show that it is incompatible with the Cybercrime law provision on libel.

This new law, including the recent passage of the Data Privacy Law last August saddens local civil rights advocates especially since these two bills were passed into law ahead of the Freedom of Information Act which had been bypassed by the past 13th and 14th Congress – a period of over 12 years.

The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility fears that this law may arm an unscrupulous regime with tools to suppress freedom of expression. CMFR also believes that the Aquino administrative is now more “restrictive”: rather than expansive when it comes to enshrining principles of accountability, transparency, and press freedom, the hallmarks of P-Noy’s “daan na matuwid”. NUJP (National Union of Journalists in the Philippines) says it even broadens the scope the “antiquated” libel law.

But what appears most bothersome, according to Kabataan Party List president, James Ridon is the provision found in Section 6 - where all offenses defined under the Revised Penal Code and special laws committed through information communication technology (ICT) shall be imposed with a penalty one degree higher than that provided for in the Code of ethics There is no definition of ICT, and thus, it can be inferred that it includes all platforms – blogs, networking sites, and websites.

Critics say the law could justify the shutdown of websites critical to the government even without a court warrant. An international advocacy group for the defense of digital freedom – the Electronic Frontier Foundation, had joined our local advocates in expressing concern on the law’s effect on freedom of expression.

The agencies mandated to implement the law – the Departments of Science and Technology, Justice, and Interior and Local Government must delay action towards its implementation as the voices of the people must be heard. We still have to await action on Senator TG Guingona’s plan to have either to have the law amended or to question it before the Supreme Court.

Now is the time for the community of citizen journalists and netizens to come together and protest the unconstitutionality of the Cybercrime Prevention Law of 2012.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

The Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication welcomes Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada's continuing commitment to the Freedom of Information bill. In the lawmaker's statement, he said he is not going to give up on his support for his pet bill and advocacy, the controversial Freedom of Information bill for the 15th Congress of the House of Representatives."Aside from the 117 solon-signatories willing to see this bill towards its eventual passage, the grassroots clamor led by the 'Right to Know' coalition is picking up. Lawmakers are genuinely committedto see this through and there are others who would have signed the manifesto but just didn’t make it to printer. There is definitely still time after the budget bill is taken up," Tañada said. “Concerns about media abuse may be addressed as long as a committee hearing is conducted. We are the lawmakers here, not the press. Safeguard provisions are already drafted for everyone’sconsideration," he added"Let us not create demons in our own minds as we have full control of the final language of the law. Let’s allkeep our eye on the ball - focus on the fundamentals that this bill stands for – transparency, accountability and participatory governance,” Tañada said.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Graduate students of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication attended the recent discussion of AIJC President Ramon Tuazon on communication planning. Here are some of the thoughts of the students after the talk:

"Today's session is very helpful for my current job. It helps me to further develop my skill for communication and media relations." -- Cha Capili

"It was already halfway when I thought of getting my notebook to take down notes because Mr. Tuazon's tips on how to make objectives was so relevant and important. I learned that when the objective is right, the whole communication plan is also right and complete." -- Kim Lineses

"C4D is essential especially to a communication specialist in order to address issues and concerns in an organization and on local and national issues. Communication planning is an important tool which will direct issues to solutions to prevent or avoid complexity of the problem. Monitoring and evaluation is vital in assessing and measure the efficiency of the communication plan." -- Patti Morales

Interested applicants on the upcoming “Pioneering Local Greenhouse Gas
(GHG) Inventory and Management to Address Climate Change” in Tagum City, Davao
del Norte on August 8-12, 2012 may now contact the Asian Institute of
Journalism and Communication for a slot.

The convention is a project of the Philippine League of Local
Environment and Natural Resources Officers, Inc. and the USAID-Clean Energy
Project to provide a venue where local government units who have already
started their greenhouse gas inventory to share their experiences with other
places and as well as with nongovernment organizations.

“All
cities and municipal LGUs are encouraged to do their GHG inventory as a means of mitigating climate
change. I urge these LGUs to send their environment officers to participate in
this important event,” PLLENRO
President Danilo Villas said in a statement.

A greenhouse gas inventory,
according to the
United States Environmental Protection Agency, is an accounting of greenhouse gases emitted to or removed
from the atmosphere over a period of time. Policy makers use inventories to
establish a baseline for tracking emission trends, developing mitigation
strategies and policies, and assessing progress. An inventory is usually the
first step taken by entities that want to reduce their GHG emissions.

An
inventory can help local governments identify the greatest sources of GHG
emissions within their jurisdiction, understand emission trends, quantify the
benefits of activities that reduce emissions, establish a basis for developing
a local action plan, track progress in reducing emissions, and set goals and
targets for future reductions.

International experts will
discuss GHG Inventory and Management to help members prepare their respective Local
Climate Change Action Plans.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Media groups and advocates have been pushing for the Freedom of Information bill for some 15 years already. Finally, the senate is set to tackle the much awaited and highly anticipated bill. Below are some of the latest news clips on the update:FOI
bill reaches Senate plenary

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Teofisto
Guingona on Monday vowed full support for the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill
because he believes that people can work with government for reforms and
accountability only if they are armed with relevant information.

“If we want people to effectively
participate in government, transparent and accessible information are vital. An
FOI law is both a blessing and a challenge to good governance. If people have
the right information, they must learn to use the same to contribute to
nation-building,” Guingona said.Guingona’s full support for the FOI
law stems largely from his belief that access to information must not depend on
the absolute discretion or even on the whims and caprices of heads of
government agencies. (Click here to read more)

Information bill gains ground as Senate
starts plenary talks

"Government
is an instrument owned by the people, and all information in the custody of the
State should be available for the people to access," Senator Gregorio B.
Honasan, public information and mass media committee chairman, said in his
sponsorship speech, recommending approval on second reading of the Freedom of
Information (FoI) bill. Senate Bill (SB) No. 3183 or the proposed People’s
Ownership of Government Information (POGI) Act of 2012, mainly adopted the
Executive’s proposal that was transmitted to Congress in January. (Click here to read more)

22 senators endorse FOI bill; House move awaited

Twenty-two
senators have signed a committee report submitted by Sen. Gregorio Honasan
endorsing plenary approval of the long-awaited Freedom of Information bill, a
move seen to put pressure on the House of Representatives, which has yet to
hold hearings on its counterpart version of the bill.

“Only when the
people are empowered with information and the truth can there be genuine
democracy and ownership,” Honasan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public
Information and Mass Media, said in sponsoring the bill for plenary
deliberations at yesterday’s session. (Click here to read more)

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

The Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) has lost a committed and valuable teacher in the passing of Isagani “Gani” Yambot.

Gani was passionate in sharing his skills with young journalists and communicators inside and outside the newsroom. He was among the pioneer teachers of the AIJC. He was an easy favorite among our graduate students because of his expertise, humor, and humility. We fondly recall his early teaching days when he would read his jokes from a written script. Much later, his lectures and jokes would come spontaneously.

The lessons the “students” learned from Gani in the classrooms and newsrooms will continue to guide them in pursuing the noble profession of journalism. This is one way of honoring Isagani Yambot - teacher, journalist, friend.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

The Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication handed for the first time to Therese Patricia C. San Diego the highest recognition given to graduates during its Pearl Graduation last January 30, 2012. San Diego garnered a GPA of 1.23.

In this blog, San Diego shares some of her thoughts now she's finished with the degree, the importance of taking up continuing studies, her memorable experiences during her stay with the AIJC Graduate School and her future plans.

Continuing studies, particularly in Communication and Journalism, are crucial in equipping communicators and journalists with the necessary knowledge and skills to respond to the ever-evolving society’s communication needs.

With the influx of new and emerging communication technologies, we now have a number of options for information exchange and collaboration, such as participatory journalism, social networking, and peer-to-peer file sharing, among many others. We need to learn how to maximize these innovations and use them responsibly. But more importantly, we need to learn how to bridge the digital divide, which these new technologies continue to widen.

Thus, our education does not end with an MA. It does not end with a PhD. We need to continue learning and sharing to keep up with the world, and to keep the world going.

2. What were your memorable moments, both good and bad, during your stay in AIJC Graduate School?

One of the most memorable moments I’ve had at AIJC was the Cross-Cultural Communication class trip to Bangkok, Thailand, which I wrote about on my blog. We witnessed a monk’s ordination, visited the biggest pagoda in Thailand and sampled the incredible food (the Miang was my favorite!) My classmate Louise Lizano and I even got to ride an elephant and an ox cart and visit the Naew Narok Waterfall on our free day!

My writing assignments in my other classes were also very memorable. I really allotted time to do my papers, whether they were weekly assignments or final reports, because I enjoyed the process and learned so much during my research. Some people assumed I had a lot more extra time since I also worked for AIJC, but my job actually requires me to work long hours with our tight deadlines and overlapping projects. It was just about time management. Plus, my love for both work and school helped me meet my deadlines.

How do you feel now that you have finally earned your MA?

Ecstatic! I was not aware that honors were given in graduate school. I was already very happy about graduating early, but the award was definitely an awesome bonus!

Why did you decide to take up a Master's degree at AIJC?

AIJC is one of the pioneers in communication education in the Philippines. Its track record in communication research and impressive clientele of multinational organizations and national government agencies give the institute a highly competitive edge over other communication schools. There are only a few others in the country, and based on its record of accomplishment and reputation, AIJC is, I believe, one of the best. True enough, the classes did not disappoint. I won’t mention favorites but most if not all of my professors’ knowledge and expertise were unquestionable. Each class was a treat!

What are your future plans?

In terms of career and academics, I will continue doing communication research, writing freelance for magazines and websites, and maintaining my blog. My mentors are urging me to pursue a doctorate degree and teach as well, but since my plate has gotten fuller at work, those will have to wait—but not too long, I hope! (AIJC)

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Presidential Communications Operations Office secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. challenged the Pearl Graduates of the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication to live up to the three imperatives of today's communicators.

The Asian Institite of Journalism and Communication held its Pearl Graduation Ceremonies, last January 30, 2012 at the Kalayaan Hall of Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City. Coloma served as their commencement speaker, where, together with AIJC President Emeritus Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid, Vice chair Dr. William T. Torres and President Ramon R. Tuazon, he conferred 12 graduates of Master in Journalism and Master in Communication Management.

As a master graduates, Coloma said that the "person should be skilled in a particular trade and able to teach others." He adds that it would entail many responsibility. "To whom much is given, much is expected."

Coloma listed down three imperatives that Pearl Graduates are expected to live up to. They should, first of all, serve as channel for the communication for development. Also referred to as C4D, he said that it would serve as a dialogue where a community may express their concerns. Coloma adds that C4D "empowers the people."

As stipulated in the President Benigno S. Aquino's Philippine Development Plan, Coloma said that it states an "inclusive growth where the smallest of the people will benefit from the fruits of development." He adds that the graduates' brand of journalism and communication should be able to reach the farthest, most isolated parts in the country.

The second imperative, Coloma said, is for the graduates to use their skills and resources in raising the quality of public discourse. He said that instead of the politics of confrontation, "wouldn't it be more sensible to pay more attention to the (government's) development program?"

Lastly, Coloma said that the pearl graduates should become an artist of encouragement and play the role not only of a teacher but also as a mentor. He urged the graduates to "take the role with vigor," adding that it would bind the first two imperatives that he shared.

AIJC Graduate School Dean Madeline Quiamco thanked Secretary Coloma for gracing the event. She told the AIJC Grad School blog that Coloma's his participation meant a lot to the Pearl Graduates who are in their middle to high level executives in government, corporate and academic organizations.

"Secretary Coloma's three imperatives resonate in the Graduate School's mission to promote advanced learning research, and innovation for more empowered, enlightened and responsible leadership in the industry and society," Quiamco said. (AIJC)

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Below is AIJC Ramon R. Tuazon's Opening Remarks during the Pearl Graduation last January 30 at the Club Filipino, Greenhillls, San Juan City.

If I am reading this speech from an Ipad 2, it is because I want to highlight a contrast

When AIJC opened its doors in 1980, aspiring journalists and communicators had to contend with the sound of typewriter keys and the scent of printer's ink.Today, journalists (communicators), young and old alike, have at their fingertips the worners of smartphones, tablets or androids and similar gadgets.

But some things have not changed. At AIJC, the values enshrined in our Vision-Mission-Goals and as articulated by our illustrous founders like S.P. Lopez, Jose Luna Castro, and, of course, Florangel Rosario-Braid remain. We continue to mould communicators/journalists committed to seeking, pursuing and proclaiming the truth at all times.

Today, 12 individuals are to be added to our growing list of GS alumni. In addition to the conferment of master's degrees, we shall also award certificate and diploma titles to four others.

We welcome and thank you all, especially our commencement speaker, for accepting our invitation to witness not only our pearl anniversary graduation but also our Institute's reaffirmation of its commitment to imbue each person who passes through its portals the bias for truth, freedom and justice.

To our would-be graduates congratulations! We pray that like Jedis, you will continue to fight the dark forces lurking in our midst, May you be continously inspired by the Gospel writers Matthew, Mark, Luke and John who share the Good News.

Monday, January 30, 2012

The Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication held its Pearl Graduation Ceremonies on January 30, 2012 in Kalayaan Hall of Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan City.

In his commencement message, Presidential Communications secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said that as graduates of a master's degree, they are expected to become a channel of communication for development, to raise the quality of public discourse and to become an artist of encouragement. He also challenged the graduates to pursue and proclaim the truth in all times.

This year is the first time that AIJC awarded a high distinction. Therese Patricia C. San Diego garnered a GPA of 1.23.

Other AIJC Graduate School awardees under its Ladderized Program were Edgardo S. Patron Jr. for the Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Errol Ismael B. Palaci, Imelda B. Patiño, and Samuel T. Ramos, Jr. for the Graduate Diploma in Communication Management.

Graudate student Alexander T. Rosete was also cited with the President's List Awardee, for garnering an average of 1.00 in the first trimester of 2011-2012.